Raising Generations

Some might say that at 16 years old, Vera Todd first walked into the Denton Child Development Center as a child herself. She had no way of knowing that the part-time job she got at DCDC’s before and after school program would turn into her life’s work, but looking back, she counts herself blessed to have been part of raising generations of local children. As one of those former students and now a parent of a DCDC kid, I’d say the community is equally as blessed.  

Todd was born and raised in Denton after her parents moved here from Mississippi. Though she took a hiatus from Denton and DCDC to attend college, she found herself coming back just a year later, trying to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up.  

The only problem was that she never did quite grow up. “I’m still a big old child… I still have that ability to see the wonder and joy and beauty in everyday things,” she said. Perhaps that is what made her such a good early childhood educator. Or maybe it’s how much love she had (and still has) for the folks she served. “I loved the job. I love the kids and the parents and the staff that I worked with,” she said, “I loved every aspect of it, especially in the classroom. I love being in the classroom.” 

By 19, Todd was working full time at DCDC and had moved into a teaching role. She became the lead teacher for the Little Saints program a short while later and was eventually entrusted as the Site Director for a satellite childcare program at St. Luke’s Methodist church in Denton.  

Her career developed alongside the Center itself. She remained connected to the classroom while also helping lead the organization behind the scenes, eventually becoming Director. But Todd said that even as her position changed, the part of the job she valued most was always the children. One of her favorite parts of the job was watching the children and parents alike celebrate tiny milestones, “when a child gets something that they’ve been struggling with… they’re so proud of themselves.”  

The job is “not monetarily rewarding,” she joked, “but it’s rewarding in your soul.” When I asked Todd why she thinks she is so good with children, she responded, “Because I truly love them…I am amazed by little children. I love watching them learn, and they are such pure little souls.” Over the years, she has seen numerous former students return now as parents, and former parents of littles in her care return with their grandchildren. “What was really fun was when I started getting the three-year-olds of my three-year-olds,” Todd said.  

“I would say we’re a trusted partner in raising the community’s children,” Todd said of DCDC. To me, that’s putting it lightly. So, I asked some current and former students, staff, and parents, many of whom have been in multiple of those categories over the years, what ‘Miss Vera’ and DCDC has meant to them.  

“[She] has always been great with the kids,” said DCDC parent Mariah Farmer-Grace, “She is super hands on and the ‘go to girl’ for all things crafts. She truly thrives in the classroom helping children explore their artistic sides.” Former staff member Katherine Oross said Todd is “extremely kind and passionate about what she does…she’s dedicated so much time into making DCDC a welcoming place for children, families, and staff.”  

Katie Thomason put five kids through DCDC with Todd. “She got so excited over the kids,” Thomason said. She recalled Todd running out into the parking lot to show her the paper her son wrote his name on for the first time. “Miss Vera just feels like home.” Another parent, Wendi Welch, echoed that sentiment. “My kids were very very attached to me, but I felt comfortable leaving them with her…she was just like another family member.”  

The current three and four-year-olds at DCDC also had nice things to say about Todd – she is nice, good, funny, and they are sad that she is “off work forever.” They’ll miss her singing and reading to them.  

Coming to the decision to retire was made that much harder by the responsibility she felt to ensure the Center was in good hands. “I couldn’t go until I knew I had somebody who would take it, who would love it, who would be invested in making sure that the Center survives and that the kids are well cared for, that the families are well cared for,” she said. She found that person in Elizabeth Alder, another young staff member who stuck with the Center and will now serve as its director. DCDC’s Little Saints program instructor Andrea Bambary is taking on the role of Administrator.  

Todd is still transitioning to retired life. “It’s weird… not getting phone calls, not getting texts,” she said. “It’s nice, but I’m getting used to it.” She said she has even thought about volunteering at local libraries just to read to kids again.  

Her message to those whom she cared for over the last 50 years is this: “It was my great pleasure to be a part of your lives, and I wish you all the best in the future.”